Saints beat the Redskins, 33-30, with a field goal in overtime to stay unbeaten. Colts now 12-0 after win over Titans. Michael Vick accounts for two touchdowns in Eagles 34-7 win in Atlanta. Late field goal carries Dolphins past Patriots.
Fans outside the Georgia Dome celebrated the return of Michael Vick to Atlanta on Sunday as the Falcons took on Philadelphia.
Indianapolis rallied to beat Houston, 35-27, behind Peyton Manning's three touchdown passes. Brett Favre threw for a season-high 392 yards as the Vikings topped Chicago, 36-10. San Diego, Philadelphia and Atlanta were also winners.
The Colts and Saints go down to the wire before improving to 9-0. The Bengals complete a Steeler sweep. The Falcons fall to the Panthers. LaDainian Tomlinson leads the Chargers to a share of the AFC West lead
Matt Prater's field goal in overtime gave Denver a 20-17 win over the Patriots. Matt Ryan threw for two touchdowns as Atlanta routed San Francisco, 45-10. Seattle clobbered Jacksonville, 41-0.
By BARRY WILNER
AP Football Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- Mike Smith and Tony Sparano performed so brilliantly as rookie head coaches it was almost impossible to separate them.
Atlanta's Smith edged Miami's Sparano by one vote Sunday for The Associated Press 2008 NFL Coach of the Year award.
Both coaches oversaw sensational turnarounds, leading their teams from last-place finishes in 2007 to playoff berths this year. Their achievements were reflected by the closeness of the balloting, with Smith getting 23 1/2 votes and Sparano 22 1/2 from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL.
After improving from 4-12 to 11-5 and making the NFC playoffs as a wild card, the Falcons fell 30-24 at Arizona on Saturday night. That should not detract from a memorable season that bodes well for the football future in Atlanta.
Smith edges Sparano for AP Coach of Year....
